In the fast-paced world of hospitality, the quality of the staff can make or break a business. Whether it’s a friendly face at the front desk, a meticulous housekeeper, or a skilled chef, every employee plays their part in creating a memorable experience for guests. Finding the right staff is therefore so important in maintaining high standards.
If you’re considering adding hospitality to your list of recruitment specialisms, then there are a few things you need to know that are unique to the industry.
In this article we’ll explore the challenges and demands of hospitality, and how to find the right people to fill your positions.
The Challenges and Needs of the Hospitality Industry
There is no doubt that Brexit continues to have a huge impact on the number of vacancies within the hospitality sector. Official figures published last year showed that hospitality vacancies have risen by 72% since Brexit. This of course presents an exciting yet challenging opportunity to you as a recruiter.
Finding people with the right characteristics is key:
Customer Service Focus
At the heart of hospitality is great customer service. Every interaction with a guest is a chance to create a positive experience and build loyalty. That makes it crucial to hire individuals who not only possess the right practical skills for their role, but also have strong interpersonal skills. Empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to help others are key traits that hospitality staff must possess.
Variety of Roles
Recruiting staff in hospitality means covering a huge variety of roles, each with its own specific requirements. From waiting staff to reception to housekeeping to management, every position has unique demands and requires a different kind of person. You’ll need to tailor your recruitment efforts to each individual position to find candidates who are best suited.
High Turnover Rate
The hospitality industry is notorious for its high turnover rate, which can of course present you with challenges as a recruiter. The seasonality of positions, the demanding nature of the work and the lack of career growth can lead to employees seeking better prospects elsewhere. Encouraging your clients to think about career progression while hiring can be beneficial.
Screening and Shortlisting Candidates
As an experienced recruiter you know how to screen and shortlist candidates to present to your client.
When recruiting for a hospitality role, you might consider adding a few more steps to your screening process to help overcome some of the challenges that the industry faces.
For example, you might choose to have a video call with potential candidates to assess the following:
- Communication Skills: Pay close attention to how candidates articulate their thoughts and respond to questions.
- Professionalism: Assess the candidate’s professionalism, punctuality, and preparedness for the interview.
- Motivation and Interest: Gauge their interest in the role and the hospitality industry. Ask why they applied and what they know about your business.
You might also consider incorporating assessments and tests into your screening process. These tools can help you evaluate specific skills that you can then share with your client, boosting your chance of a success placement.
- Skills Assessments: Depending on the position, you might use practical tests to assess technical skills.
- Personality Tests: These tests can help determine if a candidate’s personality traits align with the demands of the role and your company culture.
- Situational Judgement Tests: Present candidates with scenarios they might encounter on the job and assess their problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Making the Right Offer
Offering a competitive salary is crucial in attracting and retaining top talent in the hospitality industry.
Here’s how you can help your client make their chosen candidate an offer that they can’t refuse!
- Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to understand the average salaries for similar roles in your geographic area. Industry-specific salary surveys can provide valuable insights.
- Benchmarking: Ensure that the hourly rate or salary offered is not only competitive but also reflects the value and expectations of the role.
- Professional Development: Opportunities for growth and learning are highly valued. Encourage your client to think about the career path that the successful candidate could follow.
- Employee Discounts: If applicable, share with the candidate any discounts that they’ll be entitled to as part of their employment.
- Recognition Schemes: Ask your client how they recognise and reward employees for their hard work and dedication. Share any such schemes with candidates as part of the job offer.
We all know it’s important to act swiftly in recruitment, but even more so in hospitality. With certain skill shortages, candidates who tick all the boxes will be snapped up quickly!
Partner with New Millennia
Recruiting the right staff in the hospitality industry can be a challenge process, which is why your role as a recruiter is so valuable.
For startup recruitment agencies, partnering with New Millennia can provide the financial support you need to thrive in this competitive landscape. We offer recruitment finance solutions tailored specifically to startup agencies, allowing you to focus on what you do best – finding the right candidates for your clients.
We can help with cash flow, provide payroll funding, and offer back-office support, allowing you to scale your hospitality recruitment agency with ease.
Get in touch for an informal chat about the support we can provide.
